December 6, 2013
A Byrd’s Eye View N
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ABOUT MOVIES, TV, ARTS AND EVENTS IN THE VALLEY
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Burns With Heart And Hope By Arthur Byrd
A Quote By
Several years ago, I bought The Hunger Games book to read on vacation. I never finished it. One reason, I knew the movie was on its way. I really enjoyed The Hunger Games movie and thought Jennifer Lawrence was amazing. I’ve been looking forward to see The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. As a movie goer, I felt I would have a better time at the movie, not knowing anything from the books. The right decision was made on my part. Catching Fire went in a different direction, then I thought it would go. The movie has Katniss played by Lawrence and Peeta played Josh Hutcherson reprising their roles. Katniss is suffering from post traumatic syndrome because of the things she had to do which including seeing people died to survive the Hunger Games. Now, she and Peeta are on a state mandated Victory Tour to all the districts that sent tributes (participants) to the Games. The tour forces the two to look in the faces of families and friends of the killed tributes. Both feel survivor’s guilt. As we remember from the last movie, the way that Katniss and Peeta survived the game, was by pretending to be in love. She is having trouble displaying that love in public and in private. Her heart belongs to Gale played by Liam Hemsworth, who she grew up with.
“When somebody listens and laughs, you're always in better shape than when you're with those folks who just kind of look at you when you say something funny. You wonder if they're looking at you because they're mad that they didn't say it or something. It's hard to handle that.” Actor/Writer Jason Sudeikis, formerly of Saturday Night Life and currently starring in We’re The Millers on DVD and BluRay now.
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After a meeting with sinister President Snow played by Donald Sutherland who softly implies that her family could be harmed. Katniss agrees to show more affection towards Peeta, which she does. As the tour continues, more people are uprising. President Snow looks to contain the uprising by bring in Plutarich Heavenbee, the head Game Maker. Heavenbee devises a plan for the 75th Hunger Games which the past victors of the games would compete against each other, leaving only one alive. These games would have different survival twists such as lightning, a strange gas fog that burns the skin and electric walls. Catching Fire has an outstanding returning supporting cast such as Elizabeth Banks as multicostumed Effie Trinket, Stanley Tucci as TV host Caesar Flickerman, Woody Harrelson as Haymitch and cool character Cinna played by Lenny Kravitz. Newer cast members brought uniqueness to the mix as past victors like Jeffery Wright, Amanda Plummer and always interesting Jena Malone. Catching Fire entertains and gives a lot of information to perfectly set up the next two installments based on the third book Mockingjay of the Hunger Games series. One point, I would like to make is that I am so glad they did not make Catching Fire in 3D. This is the kind of movie that has to be seen in cinematic rawness, no glitz. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire will not scorch you, but you give a burning desire to see the next movie.
Holiday Parade and Festival Festival Happens On Saturday The City of Youngstown and Youngstown CityScape will present the Holiday Parade and Festival Downtown. 20 Federal Place (Strouss’ Building) will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland, beginning at 1:30 p.m. with cocoa, shop local vendors, and children’s craft activities. There will also be a Santa’s shop for children. The holiday parade starts at 3:30 p.m. on East Federal Street and will travel West on West Federal. Santa’s arrival will take place at the end of the parade with the lighting of the Christmas tree. After the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus visit with children and take pictures at 20 Federal Place (Strouss’ Building). 1:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m. Free.
December 6, 2013
We’re The Millers Is A Just Fun Movie To Laugh At. By Arthur Byrd There are times when I just don’t get a chance to see a movie right away. Then, when I see the movie, I always wonder why I waited because the movie is so good. This is what happened to me with We’re The Millers starring Jason Sudeikis and Jennifer Aniston. The storyline was funny with Jason playing David Clarke, a weed dealer who has a good distribution system going with high-end clients such as businessmen to stay-at-home moms. David’s weed supplier, Bard Gurdlinger played by Ed Helms (The Office) with a humorous charm, who is so rich that he has an office with a huge aquarium as walls that has an actual whale swimming around. Life is good for David because he has cash and weed. One evening in the apartment hallway, David is talking to his young neighbor, Kenny played by Will Poulter, who has been left on his own by his mother. Across the street, Casey played by Emma Roberts is being bullied by some older guys for her phone. Kenny sees Casey in trouble and he decides to go over to help her. The older guys are about to beat Kenny up and David steps in to save him and in an instant, the older guys are chasing after David and catching him. They force him to give them all his weed and saved up money. Now, David is in trouble because he owes Brad, money for the weed. After dodging Greg’s calls, David is caught by two big guys who take him to Greg. David explains to Greg that everything was taken including the money he owed to him. Greg says that David can settle the debt by bringing in a large amount high quality weed from Mexico. David agrees to the job. David is sitting with Kenny on the apartment stoop, thinking about he could get the weed over the Mexican border without getting caught. Then, a family in a RV stops in front of them asking for directions. David is mean to them. Then, a police officer rolls up and starts being nice to the family because they are an RV. David gets the idea that a family may be able to pull off smuggling the weed in the United States. Now, David needs a family. Abandoned Kenny is the first on board, then they track down Casey, who agrees to go on the trip. The final piece is finding a mom. David goes to a strip club where his neighbor, Rose played by Aniston, is a stripper. He proposes the idea to Rose. She refuses. Later, Rose finds that her apartment has been padlocked because the rent was overdue. Kenny, Casey and David are on the plane. Then, Rose joins them after forcing David to give her more money to pretend to be his wife.
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We’re The Millers has a lot of great comedic moments especially with the other actors like Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) and Kathryn Hahn. I don’t want to give too much away. The movie is like an adventure in hell as the Millers would get in and out of situations. All in all, We’re The Millers is a funny movie with great comedic dialogue. I did feel that there was little bit too much profanity. The movie is now on DVD and Blu-Ray and We’re The Millers is a keeper.
On STAGE Youngstown State University Theater: Holiday Cabaret Youngstown State University Theater presents a Holiday Cabaret on Friday, December 6th at 7:30 p.m in the Spotlight Theater in Bliss Hall, on the campus of YSU. The Holiday Cabaret will feature holiday and winter time favorites and entertainment for all ages. Tickets and more information about this show are available at (330) 941-3105.
The Youngstown Playhouse-Honk! A Musical Tale Of The Ugly Duckling The Youngstown Playhouse presents Honk! A Musical Tale Of The Ugly Duckling running weekends from Friday, December 6th through Sunday, December 15th. The play is based on the Hans Christian Andersen's famous children's book about a young duckling encountering prejudice, but, through growth, discovers his true beauty, love, and his destiny. Evening performances will begin at 7:30 p.m and the Sunday matinees are at 2:30 p.m Tickets and more information about this show are available at (330) 788-8739. The Youngstown Playhouse is at 600 Playhouse Lane, Youngstown. The Salem Community Theatre: Christmas Carol The Salem Community Theatre presents the classic Charles Dickens holiday story, A Christmas Carol, running weekends from Friday, December 6th through Sunday, December 15th. Evening performances begin at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. A Christmas Carol follows Ebenezer Scrooge on his journey to discover the true meaning of Christmas. Tickets and more information about this show are available at (330) 332-9688. The Salem Community Theatre located 490 East State Street, Salem. Rust Belt Theater Company: How the Drag Queen Stole Christmas How the Drag Queen Stole Christmas will be on stage at Rust Belt Theater Company. Calvin Center, 755 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown; 330-507-2358. 8 p.m., Dec, 6,-7, 13-14, and midnight on Dec. 14. 8 p.m.
December 6, 2013
Happy Buffet is [Mostly] Happy Experience By Monnie Ryan To read the full version of this review, visit http:// mahoningvalleyeats.blogspot.com Oriental cuisine is always a treat, even though - mostly for sodium restrictions on my husband Jack's diet - we don't indulge all that often. When it's a buffet, though, it's easier to pick and choose; so when a brochure arrived in our mailbox announcing the Oct. 28 opening of the Happy Buffet in the Liberty Plaza, we were there within a couple of days. Our friends from Niles, Jerry and Barb, share our fondness for Oriental food, so they agreed to tag along on our first visit. The dinner buffet costs $9.55 (after 3:30 p.m.; before that, lunch is $6.95, neither includes beverages). Scoping out any buffet before diving in is always advisable, and I noticed that several items weren't labeled so choosing those items was based on whether or not they looked appetizing. As is my custom, I zeroed in on the hot and sour soup, an egg roll, what appeared to be crab Rangoon (but labeled as fried cheese) and a couple of chicken wings. Barb chose similar items, with won-ton soup and a spring roll. We all passed on sushi; even though I love Wasabi sauce, those roll-ups are way too fishy for my liking. My soup was quite good, but Barb said her won-ton soup lacked flavor. The chicken wings, however, were to die for; and I really love the fried cheese things - they taste like there's crab in there even though the sign doesn't confirm it. As for entrees, there's something to suit everyone's tastes, and the dishes marked as "hot" were mild enough for just about anybody we know. The sweet and sour chicken and shrimp, chicken with broccoli, General Tso's chicken and pepper steak with onions were outstanding - so much so that I didn't try any of the noodle or rice dishes on this visit - they're just too filling. We returned a week or so later for lunch, and while I didn't notice any difference in the number of items on the buffet, I will say the chicken wings and egg rolls didn't taste quite as fresh as at dinner - more like they were leftovers or had been in the warming dishes too long. Jack loved the pineapple chicken, and this time I tried the Lo Mein, sesame chicken, black pepper chicken, chicken and chili and fried rice. The Lo Mein wasn't much better than passable and the rice didn't have much flavor on its own, but topped with one of the chicken dishes or add some soy sauce it works very well. All those chicken dishes, however, were outstanding. If you go: Happy Buffet 3551 Belmont Ave., Suite 19A (Liberty Plaza) Youngstown, Ohio 44505 (330) 759-8889. Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.
December 6, 2013
Solo Does James Bond Up Proud By Monnie Ryan 4 stars (out of 5) Any time someone new "takes over" a series of books after an author has passed away, I'm a bit skeptical that the new guy (or gal) will do the original author up proud. In the case of Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond, perhaps my all-time favorite character, it seems to me an almost insurmountable challenge. Since Fleming's death in 1964, I believe six authors have taken on the task, including such well-known writers as Kingsley Amis, John Gardner and Jeffery Deaver. Most did a passable job; in 2011, in fact, I gave Deaver's Carte Blanche 4 stars for coming up with an interesting story and doing a pretty good job following Fleming's style. Now comes William Boyd, also an award-winning author in his own right, who may be the best of the lot. No, he's not Fleming, but he manages to keep the "flavor" of Bond intact while writing a story that is intriguing, filled with surprises and, of course, plenty of action. This one is set in 1969 just as British special agent 007 Bond reaches his 45th year. He's summoned to headquarters by his boss, M, who assigns him to go to Zanzarim. The West African country is in the throes of a civil war, and Bond is charged with the difficult task of stopping the rebels, thus ensuring that the established regime remains in place. The difficulty, though, becomes nearly impossible once Bond gets to his destination and realizes that nothing is as it seems (and certainly not as he was told). The uprising is far from straightforward, and almost from the start, he learns no one can be trusted. A conspiracy is afoot, and Bond must figure out the real reasons behind all the violence and who's really responsible - hopefully without losing his own life in the process. This one's a page-turner that kept me hooked from beginning to end. Solo: A James Bond Novel by William Boyd (HarperCollins Publishers, October 2013); 341 pp.
Ballet Western Reserve Gives The Holiday Gift of The Nutcracker Ballet Western Reserve is presenting The Nutcracker at Powers Auditorium this weekend. The performance will be Friday, Dec 6 at 7:30 p.m and Saturday, Dec 7 at 2 p.m and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available by calling the box office at 330-744-0264. Powers Auditorium is located at 260 W. Federal St., Youngstown.
December 6, 2013
What’s Happening Around the The Valley: Dec 6-8 Friday, December 6 Gallery Showing and Opening Gallery Showing and Opening: Belmont Boutique at Coy Cornelius Studios. The event will features vintage, original, classic and contemporary clothing, costumes, accessories and artifacts on Dec. 6-8. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. For more information call: 330-747-5404. Coy Cornelius Studios located at 931 Belmont Ave, Youngstown. Medieval Celebration and Dinner Tapestries of Ohio is sponsoring a Medieval celebration and dinner at the Christ Episcopal Church. Doors open 6:30 p.m. Reservations required; call 330-726-5576 or email lorddean@tapestriesofohio.net.Dec. 6-7, 13-14. 7 p.m. $30. Christ Episcopal Church is at 2627 Atlantic St. NE, Warren. It’s a Wonderful Life The screening of It’s a Wonderful Life at Main Street Theater in Columbiana. 330-482-9915. 8 p.m. Dec. 6,-7, 13-14; 2 p.m., Dec 8, 15. 8 p.m. Main Street Theater is located at 5 N. Main St., Columbiana. Saturday, December 7th Dancing Mindfulness Classes Dancing Mindfulness Classes. The Hidden Path with facilitator Ramona Skriiko. Dancing Mindfulness is a “come as you are” practice, with no prior experience in yoga or dance necessary to participate. Call to preregister at 330-755-6400. Classes are at10 a.m. Cost $15. The classes take place at 71 Terrace St., Struthers, Occurs Dec. 7, 21 43rd Holiday Arts and Crafts Show 43rd Holiday Arts and Crafts Show at the Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown. The Butler’s annual holiday show and sale will again feature fine art and original, one-of-a kind crafts from nearly 100 vendors. Painting, photography, jewelry, paper, ceramics, fragrances, wood, leather, fiber, food, horticulture, and decorative arts are included. All weekend Dec. 7-8. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $5, children under 12 are free. Butler Institute of American Art is at 524 Wick Ave., Youngstown; 330-743-1107.
December 6, 2013
What’s Happening Around the The Valley: Dec 6-8 (cont’d) Saturday, December 7th Winter Skywatch The Ward Beecher Planetarium, on the campus of Youngstown State University, presents Winter Skywatch on Friday, December 6th and Saturday, December 7th at 8 p.m.both nights. Winter Skywatch deals with locating planets and constellations, constellation lore, and current space events. More information about this program is available at (330) 941-1370. JFK and Dallas Seminar Youngstown State University and the Victorian Players present a seminar called JFK and Dallas, at 7:30 a.m in the Chestnut Room of Kilcawley Center, on the campus of YSU. This seminar will include forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril H. Wecht, speaking on JFK's autopsy, crime scene investigator and forensic pathologist Sherry Fiester, speaking on the JFK shooting, Debra Conway, Steve Jones, and Jerry Policoff. More information about this free seminar is available at www.specteroftreason.com. Winter Celebration - A Garden Conservatory Mill Creek MetroParks presents Winter Celebration - A Garden Conservatory running from Saturday through Sunday, January 5th from 10 a.m until 5 p.m. each day at the D.D. and Velma Davis Education and Visitor Center in Fellows Riverside Gardens in Youngstown. Winter Celebration - A Garden Conservatory will feature a conservatory filled with holiday plants. More information about this event is available at (330) 740-7116. Fellows Riverside Gardens is at 123 McKinley Avenue in Youngstown. Sunday, December 8th Wigilia 2013: A Polish Christmas Celebration Wigilia 2013: A Polish Christmas Celebration happens at The Brier Hill Cultural Center (formerly St. Casimir’s Church) in Youngstown. The Polish Arts Club of Youngstown will present. Wigilia (vee-GEEL-yah), which means “Vigil” or “waiting” for the birth of baby Jesus, is the club’s annual celebration and recreation of what Poles around the world gather to do each Christmas Eve night. Includes food, caroling, raffles and cultural sharing. Paid reservations enforced. No tickets will be available at the door. Noon. Adults, $25; children (5-12), $10; children (4 and under), free. The Brier Hill Cultural Center (formerly St. Casimir’s Church), 145 Jefferson St., Youngstown. Christmas Band Concert The W.D. Packard Band presents a free Christmas Band Concert on at 2 p.m. at the Packard Music Hall. This concert will feature traditional concert band works as well as seasonal and Christmas holiday favorites. More information about this concert is available at (330) 841-2619. Packard Music Hall is at 1703 Mahoning Avenue, Northwest)
December 6, 2013
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Art Byrd Jr. has won awards as a filmmaker and journalist. After working many years as a videographer and director for WFMJ TV News, he retired from broadcasting to share his experience and insight with students as an instructor at Youngstown State University. Art has written and produced numerous Indie films, which have been shown at prestigious film festivals.
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In addition to teaching and writing/ producing A Byrd’s Eye View newsletter,
Excerpts from A Byrd’s Eye View can be read in The Review, Newspaper, available throughout the Valley and online at http://www.thereviewnewspapers.com/
Monnie Ryan retired in 2003 after 14 years as managing editor of The Business Journal in Youngstown, where she continues to contribute to the print and online editions. Articles she has written have appeared in more than 20 national publications and at several travelrelated Web sites, and she has won numerous awards for photography. Contact her at mryan62692@aol.com.
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Movie reviews from A Byrd’s Eye View can be read in The Buckeye Review Newspaper, available throughout the Valley at various newsstands.